Sending 7 year old to boarding school

528 replies

Bringonsummer19 · 11/05/2023 00:14

So my daughter is currently away (8) on her first residential trip. She is away from Wednesday through to Friday. I already miss her so much and it got me thinking of my sister who is sending her 7 year old away to boarding school in September. Her husband is in the army so will subsidise the fees and it’s aimed at continuity of education. Nonetheless my sister does not work and therefore could settle with DS (albeit husband would have to commute to army base) and they couldn’t afford private school fees.

im i unreasonable to think that 7 is just too young to be away from home unless there is a really valid reason (eg husband posted to Iran)

OP posts:

YeahOkWhatever · 11/05/2023 00:22

I just find this incredibly upsetting for the child. Often in some of the most neglectful etc situation children still want their parents. Unless this was absolutely necessary I.e. complex support needs requiring residential school , no way would I send them away. Poor kid.

NandorsFamilar · 11/05/2023 00:18

I'm with you- I could not do it.
There was a TV programme about kids off to boarding school at a young age and most hated it. (as did my husband, although he was an ancient 11 and there were very sound and complex reasons for it)

I have realised some parents hate being parents, so maybe your sister is not loving her parent status and this is a good solution?

Simonjt · 11/05/2023 00:18

Unless a child has additional needs that cannot be met in the family home they should not be sent to a boarding/residential school.

My husband was sent to boarding school when he was eight, he didn’t have a name, he had a number. Its a fairly well known school in the UK, and despite having a huge problem with bullying, racism and sexual assault it is still sadly a popular school.

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